2025 NCKU Alumni Carnival & Alumni Association of North America Biennial Meeting: Alumni Around the World Gather to Celebrate NCKU’s Bright Future
Written by Hsu Tsu-Yueh. Image credit to NCKU News Center.
The 15th NCKU Alumni Carnival & Alumni Association of North America Biennial Meeting took place in Washington, D.C. from October 24 to 26. Around 380 alumni representatives from over ten Associations joined the event, filling 36 tables. Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, ROC Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, and his wife attended to offer their congratulations. President Lai Ching-te, also an NCKU alumnus, sent a video message to celebrate the occasion.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen led a delegation of the university’s administrative team to the gathering. They prepared a 90-minute briefing and video presentation to share NCKU’s strategies and achievements in teaching, research, international outreach, alumni connections, campus development, and sustainability. The session clearly presented the university’s vision and key directions for the future. Through this in-depth exchange, alumni gained a clearer understanding of NCKU’s long-term development plan. The event also strengthened their sense of connection with their alma mater and opened new possibilities for future support and collaboration.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen says that alumni strength is NCKU’s most precious and powerful asset.
Welcoming Banquet Opens the Event: Alumni Power Is NCKU’s Greatest Asset
The NCKU Alumni Carnival is one of the most important gatherings for NCKU graduates worldwide in addition to the annual meetings held by each Association. Held every two years, the Carnival aims to deepen global alumni connections and support exchanges in culture, education, and the economy. The 15th NCKU Alumni Carnival & Alumni Association of North America Biennial Meeting (2025) was hosted by the NCKU Alumni Association of Washington DC and opened with a welcoming banquet on the evening of October 24. President Meng-Ru Shen traveled to the United States to meet alumni from around the world. He shared that the moment he arrived at the airport in Washington, D.C., he was warmly greeted by alumni. Each handshake and each look in the eye reminded him of the strong bond alumni hold with their university. He said this connection shows that alumni strength is NCKU’s most precious and powerful asset.
President Shen also noted that NCKU has continued to recruit top talent in recent years with very good results. Before arriving in Washington, he also visited San Francisco for recruitment and met many outstanding candidates.
President Shen added that NCKU alumni in the United States and around the world continue to excel and make an impact. This gives him great confidence in NCKU’s future. Speaking about education, he shared a light story. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many classes went online, and students often watched the recordings at 1.25 or even 1.5 speed, but their grades did not drop. This made him realize that teaching must keep pace with change, and teachers must keep learning and adapting to new teaching methods as well. Still, no matter how technology evolves, “a teacher’s example and genuine care” remain at the core of education. Many alumni feel strong affection for NCKU because their professors once taught with sincerity and kindness, and these values shaped their work and their lives. President Shen ended by saying that each alumni reunion feels like a warm family meal, and that seeing familiar faces always brings him joy. NCKU continues to move forward because of this support across time and distance. He expressed heartfelt thanks to all alumni and hopes NCKU will continue to shine on the global stage with everyone’s shared effort.
Peter Chen, President of the NCKU Global Alumni Association, says that the strong and lasting bonds among NCKU alumni are possible because of the university’s steady support.
A Touching Tradition of NCKU Alumni: Sincerity and Dedication
Peter Chen, President of the NCKU Global Alumni Association (Electrical Engineering, 1985), opened by thanking alumni who traveled long distances to join the event. He said he felt proud and deeply moved to see so many people come together from around the world, bringing great energy to the gathering. He emphasized that the strong and lasting bonds among NCKU alumni are possible because of the university’s steady support. He said, “Among Taiwan’s top universities, NCKU is one of the few where the president personally leads the whole administrative team to take part in alumni activities across regions. This sincere effort has shaped a unique and heartwarming alumni culture that NCKU is proud of.”
Chen also noted that under the leadership of the president and administrative team, NCKU has made clear progress in international reputation and global rankings in recent years. These achievements, he said, come not only from the work of the university but also from the support of alumni worldwide. “To build NCKU into a world-class university, we need a world-class alumni network behind it,” he said. “The alumni association will continue to serve as a bridge, linking alumni everywhere and helping the university move onto the global stage.”
He ended with a warm message, saying “NCKU alumni around the world are one big family. The Carnival is not only a reunion, but also a celebration of NCKU’s spirit.” He thanked every alumnus for their passion and participation and encouraged everyone to keep working together to let NCKU shine across the world.
Paul Hsu, President of the North America Alumni Foundation, emphasized that the Foundation will keep uniting alumni and strengthening cooperation with NCKU.
NCKU North America Alumni Foundation Continues to Bring Alumni Together
North America Alumni Foundation President Paul Hsu (Engineering Science, 1984) said in his remarks that the Foundation carries many responsibilities. The most important one is supporting the work of the North America Alumni Association and helping local chapters grow. He said, “Whether it’s hosting the Alumni Carnival or organizing entrepreneurship forums and innovation events, please feel assured. Our Foundation will always stand firmly behind you and provide the support and resources needed. Together, we will help NCKU’s influence continue to grow across North America.” He emphasized that the Foundation will keep uniting alumni and strengthening cooperation with NCKU so that the spirit and values of NCKU can spread and shine around the world.
Presidents of NCKU alumni associations across the United States also went on stage to share updates and greetings. Alumni from Northern California, Dallas, Michigan, New York, Seattle, and other regions showed their strong pride and affection for NCKU, no matter how long they have been away from campus or how far they have moved. Many association presidents noted that NCKU graduates have made a strong impact in many fields in the U.S., including technology, engineering, medicine, and business. One president joked, “If you want to do well in Taiwan or abroad, you should study at NCKU,” reflecting genuine praise for the quality of education at NCKU.
NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen with the alumni of the North America Alumni Foundation.
The 15th NCKU Alumni Carnival & Alumni Association of North America Biennial Meeting
The 15th NCKU Alumni Carnival & Alumni Association of North America Biennial Meeting officially opened on October 25 at the Washington Dulles Airport Marriott Hotel. Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, ROC Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, and his wife attended to offer their congratulations. President Lai Ching-te, also an NCKU alumnus, sent a congratulatory video message to celebrate the occasion.
President Lai Ching-te, also an NCKU alumnus, sends a congratulatory video message to celebrate the occasion. (Screenshot)
Full Remarks from President Lai Ching-te
To my alma mater NCKU President Meng-Ru Shen, former President Huey-Jen Su, North America Alumni Foundation Chairperson Christina Chen, Global Alumni Association President Peter Chen, and all NCKU alumni present today, greetings to you all. It is a great honor for me, as an alumnus of NCKU, to be invited to deliver this message and offer my sincere best wishes to everyone gathered here at this occasion from around the world. I wish the NCKU Alumni Carnival & Alumni Association of North America Biennial Meeting great success.
Since its founding in 1931, and over its history over 90 years, NCKU has, through the dedication of its presidents, faculty, students, and alumni, grown into a major center of knowledge and technology in southern Taiwan. It has become an outstanding academic institution that touches its city and brings pride to the nation. With its strong foundation in both science and the humanities, NCKU has nurtured countless talents who have made meaningful contributions to Taiwan’s technological and economic development. This is why all of us, as NCKU alumni, feel proud of our alma mater. I believe everyone here, just like I do, shares the same deep gratitude for NCKU. The education we received not only enriched our lives but also opened new doors, giving us the chance to serve more people.
The medical science education I received in NCKU deeply affected my practicing years. During my years practicing medicine, I learned from my teachers that to give the best care, one must first understand the patient’s feelings. Later, when I entered public service, I continued to uphold this same spirit, to listen sincerely and make the best decisions for Taiwan. Today, I would like to share with you the message President Shen gave to this year’s graduates, “Seek truth and understanding; use science to serve society.” Let us all live by these words. Let us carry forward the NCKU spirit, use our strengths, and help improve the lives of people in Taiwan and around the world. Finally, I once again wish this grand event great success and pray for the continued prosperity of NCKU. I also extend my best wishes to all alumni for good health, peace, and happiness. Go NCKU, and go Taiwan! Thank you all. Thank you.
Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui, ROC Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, offers congratulations and praises NCKU alumni for their strong achievements.
Sincere Alumni Connections Create the NCKU Legacy
Ambassador Alexander Tah-Ray Yui said he was happy to attend the 15th NCKU Alumni Carnival with his wife and colleagues. He thanked the university administrative team and all alumni presidents and associations for their warm hospitality. He praised NCKU graduates for their strong achievements, joking that “any table you sit at is full of chairpersons and leaders.” He also recalled past cooperation with NCKU in medical and international projects, including training nursing talents for ally nations, which had very positive results. Seeing alumni gathering from around the world made him proud, and he encouraged everyone to keep shining and show the NCKU spirit wherever they are, bringing pride to their alma mater.
President Meng-Ru Shen expressed his respect and admiration for Ambassador Yui for his remarkable performances, and thanked him for his long-term service to the nation and his support of NCKU. “Every time Ambassador Yui speaks for the nation, he shows clarity, strength, and professionalism, demonstrating the qualities of a top diplomat. This is what NCKU students can learn from,” President Shen said. He also shared how moved he felt after meeting and shaking hands with hundreds of alumni within his first 24 hours in the United States. Their warm support, he said, is what keeps NCKU moving forward, and he promised to continue working hard to make alumni proud of their alma mater.
Peter Chen, President of the Global Alumni Association, thanked Ambassador Yui and all officials for joining and showed his appreciation for their efforts for the nation on the global stage. He noted that Taiwan is gaining global attention because of its technology and semiconductor strength, which is also a source of pride for NCKU alumni. He thanked the university leaders for traveling so far to connect with alumni, and he praised the strong participation from alumni associations worldwide. He added that, with the president’s support, the Association is building four major platforms, respectively for fundraising, start-up development, international forums, and outstanding alumni networking, to strengthen global ties and help NCKU grow into a world-class university. He ended by thanking the Alumni Association of Washington D.C. and the North America Alumni Foundation for their careful planning, which made the event a great success.
The delegation with President Meng-Ru Shen, with President of the NCKU Global Alumni Association Peter Chen, President of the North America Alumni Foundation Paul Hsu, and North America Alumni Foundation Chairperson Christina Chen.
Leaders of the North America Alumni Foundation, Chairperson Christina Chen (Nursing, 2007), and the Alumni Association of Washington President Yao-Hsin Cheng (Business Administration, 2015), opened the event with warm welcome remarks. They thanked all the volunteers who worked hard during preparation. They also expressed gratitude to NCKU, President Shen and the Alumni Association Center, the Alumni Association of Taipei, sponsors, the Global Alumni Association and its President Peter Chen and Secretary General Ming-Chih Chen, the North America Alumni Foundation, the Overseas Community Affairs Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all partner offices and alumni groups for their support.
North America Alumni Foundation Chairperson Christina Chen shared that organizing the event felt like assembling a large puzzle. “Each volunteer was a unique piece with different colors and shapes. My mission was to bring all the pieces together to form a meaningful picture, a picture that belongs to all NCKU alumni.” She said the program was kept simple on purpose so alumni could focus on sincere and thoughtful conversations. These connections, she said, are the roots of our blossoms and the final pieces that complete the puzzle.
Many alumni leaders from different Associations also attended, including Jui-Yi Wang (Engineering Science, 1979) of the Taipei Association, Ying-Jui Chen (Civil Engineering, 1995) of the Taichung Association, Yung-Fu Cho (Architecture, 1986) of the Kaohsiung Association, Yang-Ming Geng (Transportation & Communication 1977) of the New York Association, Chih-Chen Li (Accountancy, 1991) of the Middle West (Chicago) Association, Chao-Hung Lin (Civil Engineering, 1981) of the North West (Seattle) Association, Hsu-Min Yeh (Accountancy, 1998) of the Southern California Association, Chin Chang (Business Administration, 1973) and Cheng-Hsiung Yen (Engineering Science, 1979) of the Northern California Association, Li-Mei Lu (Chemical Engineering, 1986) of the Michigan Association, Chih-Chun Wen (Industrial and Information Management, 2001) of the Northern Texas (Dallas) Association, Jung-Chieh Ho (Architecture, 1987) of the Houston Association, and Han-Chieh Chang (Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1987) of the New England Association.
Alumni Honors and a Tribute to Alumna Lily Liang
President Shen Meng-Ju then presented several alumni awards on behalf of the university. These included the Outstanding Alumni Award and the Unsung Hero Award by the NCKU North America Alumni Foundation. He also presented the Dr. Arthur H. Wu Memorial Scholarship and the President Chao Nee Memorial Scholarship. The ceremony also honored the memory of alumna Lily Liang, who passed away in July this year. A graduate of the Department of Accounting and Statistics (1968), she was known as a talented figure both at NCKU and later in Washington, D.C. and had received the Unsung Hero Award in 2007.
Recipients of the North America NCKU Outstanding Alumni Award with the selection committee and President Meng-Ru Shen.
NCKU has a long history of producing outstanding talent, and North America alumni continue to excel across many fields. To recognize exceptional achievements and encourage future generations, the North America Alumni Foundation established the Outstanding Alumni Award soon after its founding. The award is presented every two years. Regional alumni associations across the United States nominate their members, and a selection committee of respected alumni evaluates the candidates.
This year’s recipients of the North America NCKU Outstanding Alumni Award are: Yung-Nien Chou (Chemistry, 1970), Su-Chen Lin (Foreign Languages and Literature, 1992), Jen-Pin Chuang (Medicine, 2001; Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2008, 2010), Yu-Hsuan Peng (Accountancy, 1990), Ching-Hsuan Tung (Chemistry, 1983), Ta-Yao Wei (Systems, 1992), Kuo-Hsuan Hsu (Statistics, 1990), and Ying-Cheng Lo (Engineering Science, 1976; Mechanical Engineering, 1978).
Recipients and family of the North America NCKU Unsung Hero Award with President Meng-Ru Shen.
The dedication of alumni who work quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes is the foundation that keeps regional alumni associations running. Because these contributions are often low-profile and selfless, their importance can easily be overlooked. To encourage the recognition of such devoted volunteers, the association created the Unsung Hero Award. The award honors alumni who contribute without seeking recognition, affirms the value of equal participation, and aims to spread the spirit of volunteer service, strengthening unity among NCKU alumni and shining a brighter light on NCKU in North America.
This year’s recipients of the North America NCKU Unsung Hero Award are: Ming-Yi Chiang (Life Sciences, 2002), Jen-Chieh Chang (Nano-IC Engineering, 2008), Han-Chieh Chang (Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1987), Yi-Lin Su (Accountancy, 2012), Chung Chen (Business Administration, 1976), Cheng-Yi Li (Mechanical Engineering, 2011, 2013; Electrical Engineering, 2023), and Ping-Wen Ho (Architecture 1986).
The 16th NCKU Alumni Carnival will be hosted by the Alumni Association of Taipei.
Alumni Association of Taipei to Host the 16th NCKU Alumni Carnival in 2027
After the banquet on the 25th, the North America Alumni Foundation and the Alumni Association of Washington, D.C. held a meeting and announced that the 16th NCKU Alumni Carnival will be hosted by the Alumni Association of Taipei. The event is scheduled for November 6 to 8, 2027.
Jui-Yi Wang, the 20th President of the Alumni Association of Taipei, warmly welcomed alumni from around the world to join the celebration. He shared that the Association plans to mobilize its many clubs and prepare a variety of activities to greet visiting alumni. The program will include a three-day golf tournament, a nature outing near Taipei, cultural tours, and a global alumni council meeting. President Wang noted that the Alumni Association of Taipei currently has about 1,000 members and 13 self-organized clubs that meet regularly and maintain close ties. He encouraged alumni everywhere to visit Taipei, whether individually or as a group, promising that the association will offer the best hospitality and make every visitor feel at home.
Provider:
NCKU News Center
Date:
2025-11-11